Wayanad, July 30 (UITV)- 44 people have died and over 100 are reported injured in a massive landslide in Wayanad district of Kerala, while many others are still feared trapped under the debris. Heavy rains are still continuing in Wayanad district.
Several massive landslides occurred in various hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district of Kerala in the early hours of Tuesday. The President, Vice President, Union Home Minister, Congress MP KC Venugopal have expressed condolences to the people affected by the accident. Expressing her condolences on the social media platform X, President Draupadi Murmu wrote in the post, “I am saddened by the death of people in the massive landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. My condolences to the bereaved families.” Landslides wreaked havoc in three villages, destroying many houses and uprooting many trees. Water sources are overflowing. Teams of NDRF and Kerala State Disaster Management Authority have reached the spot for relief and rescue work. Health Minister Veena George has confirmed that 23 bodies have been recovered. Those bodies have been kept in the mortuary of various hospitals. Three children are also among those dead.
Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army Chief on this accident. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh asked the Army Chief to deploy the Army for assistance and rescue in Wayanad, Kerala, which is affected by landslide. By the way, Army teams have reached the spot.
According to district officials, Mundakkai, Choorlammala, Attamala and Noolpuzha villages have been affected by the landslide. These areas are isolated due to the landslide. To enhance relief and rescue efforts, the Chief Minister has asked to send two Air Force helicopters from Sulur to Wayanad.
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A landslide occurred in Mundkai town early this morning. After that, a landslide occurred in Kalpatta at around 4:10 am. It is being told that many families were buried in this accident. Vaithiri taluk, Vellarimala village, Meppadi panchayat are affected by the landslide. The road from Choorlamala to Mundkai was washed away in this accident.
According to information received from sources, Choorlamala town has also suffered heavy damage due to the landslide. Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said that several teams of fire brigade and NDRF have been deployed in the affected areas. Also, an additional team of NDRF has been sent to Wayanad.
Teams of NDRF, fire brigade, police and revenue department reached the spot and rescued about 101 people. A shelter camp has been set up for the displaced people at Bathery St. Mary’s SKMJ School in Kalpetta. Food and clothing have been arranged and several medical teams and ambulances are also present.
After the devastating landslide, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has directed to speed up and coordinate rescue operations in Wayanad. He announced the active involvement of the entire government machinery in the efforts. According to the Kerala CMO office, 250 members of the Fire and Rescue, NDRF, Civil Defence and Local Emergency Response Team are involved in the rescue operation in Wayanad Choorlamalla.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, the Health Department has opened a district level control room in view of the Wayanad landslide and has issued two helpline numbers 8086010833 and 9656938689 for emergency health services.
All hospitals in Kalpetta, Vaithiri, Mananthavady, Meppadi etc. are ready. All health workers reached for service at night itself. More teams of health workers will be deployed in Wayanad.
UDF MLA T Siddique said plans were underway to airlift people from the Mundakkai area, where access is still severely restricted. He said the full number of casualties and missing people was still not known due to the incessant rains, complicating rescue operations.
President Draupadi Murmu said on social media platform Twitter, “Saddened by the loss of lives in the massive landslide. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and success of rescue operations.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the families of each person killed in the landslide in parts of Wayanad and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted expressing grief over the massive landslide near Meppadi in Wayanad. He said that I spoke to the Chief Minister of Kerala and the Wayanad District Collector about this accident. They have assured me that the rescue operation will continue. I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, keep us informed about any assistance required for relief efforts and set up a control room at the accident site. I will also talk to the Union Ministers about this and request that all possible assistance be provided to Wayanad.
